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Rodney Friend is recognized internationally as one of the most outstanding English- born violinists. As a soloist, chamber musician, concertmaster, director and teacher he has appeared worldwide with the greatest musicians of the last forty years. He made his London debut playing Sibelius concerto with the Halle Orchestra and his American debut playing Britten concerto with the New York Philharmonic. He has performed with major orchestras in Europe, North and South America, Scandinavia and the Far East under such conductors as Haitink, Barbirolli, Mehta, Leinsdorf, Solti, Giulini, Davis and Boult. Amongst his many recordings, his performances with the London Philharmonic of the Britten and Bach concertos for EMI received the highest critical acclaim.
In 1991 he formed the Solomon Trio with whom he toured Europe extensively, playing at such venues as La Scala Milan and recording much of the great trio literature for Carlton Records. It is however as a Concertmaster where he has made his greatest professional impact. In 1964 he became the youngest ever leader of the London Philharmonic, working closely with Bernard Haitink, Barenboim, Solti and Giulini. In 1975 he received a unique honor for a British player when he was invited by the New York Philharmonic to be their Concertmaster, playing concerts and recording worldwide with Bernstein, Boulez and Mehta.
On his return to London he became concertmaster of the BBC Symphony Orchestra with Gennadi Rozhdestvensky and professor of violin and consultant at the Royal College of Music. Since 1990 he has worked solely in the areas of teaching, solo and chamber music performances, traveling regularly as a professor and jury member at international violin competitions. He plays a Joseph Guarnerius violin dated 1696.
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